Review: BBC Question Time, 2nd July 2009

The official BBC Question Time website can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/questiontime

Harriet Harman (Lab) - Defended Gormless on budget cuts and waffled on like a party drone. Dumblebee had to put her back in her box at one point. She then tried to make up an excuse for Gormless's 'zero per cent rise' nonsense, saying he had meant to say 'nought point seven'. Made herself look silly when claiming she could demonstrate her case on the national finances using a budget document - but then failed to do so. Her style of preaching at people was grating as per usual. Supported Jack Straw's decision on Ronnie Biggs. On teachers, she said that continual professional development and assessment was a good thing. On the East Coast mainline, she said apart from National Express, no other franchise needed renationalising. Said something apparatchik on biometric identity cards which we switched off from listening to and Dumblebee had to tell her what announced Government policy on identity cards now is. For a second time, Dumblebee had to put her back in her box...
Our Rating: We're sure she's lovely to the other harpersons in her family and well liked by the harpersons who comprise her circle of friends, but as a person in public life..? Gosh, she's a seriously annoying and tedious harperson. 0%/12

Iain Duncan Smith (Con) - Spoke about the effects of public borrowing and the economy and spoke with a delivery that seemed to treat the public like adults rather than idiots. His response drew warm applause from the studio audience. Pointed out some of the reality of the Great Train Robbery and said the demonstration of remorse by Ronnie Biggs was important before he could be released. Accused the Government of yet more bureaucratic gimmicks over proposals for teaching licenses and said we should trust headteachers to run their schools. Said he was opposed to renationalisation of railways but outlined some of the problems he could see in relation to the current franchise arrangements. Put identity cards down as an expensive waste of time.
Our Rating: He doesn't insult people too much which is a plus for a politician but seems to lack the charisma of... say... John Major? 8/12

David Laws (Lib Dem) - Said Gormless is in a state of complete denial on the national budget and that he is not being truthful with people. Said that there was a budget document on the studio desk which proved this. Harriet Harman tried snatching the document off him and then said she would say that it demonstrated something else. She strangely remained silent when invited to say what this was. Said Gormless is operating on a "fantasy basis". Stated he had very little sympathy for Ronnie Biggs and highlighted the serious aspects of the case for which Biggs has been imprisoned. However, he indicated his disagreement with Jack Straw's decision which he suggested was a political rather than rational decision. Said Labour's proposed teaching licenses 'could' be a good idea but warned that many such schemes under Labour ended up being tick-box nightmares. Said he was not in favour of renationalising the railways but said that private firms were not being exposed to risk - only to profit - and this was unfair on the taxpayer. Called for National Express to lose their other rail franchises as it was unfair they should be allowed to walk away from one struggling line but make profit elsewhere. Said that the pursuit of identity cards was potty.
Our Rating: David Laws gives us cause for concern... because we actually found ourselves confronted by a Liberal Democrat who was not an annoying student politics debating society irritant but remarkably had things to say that were worth listening to. Astounding revelation... 10/12

Peter Hitchens (Journalist) - Drew supportive laughter when he gave an abrupt answer as to whether Gormless is being honest about budget cuts - he said he isn't. Slammed both Labour and the Conservatives over the economy. Brilliantly put down the Liberal Democrats with a simple "why bother?" when asked to comment on their policies. Called Jack Straw the 'Secretary of State for Injustice' when commenting on the ongoing detention of Ronnie Biggs. Said he was tired of stunts and gimmicks from Education Secretaries of successive Governments over the last twenty-odd years. Said that some things should be owned by the State and that the railways were one of those things. Critical of Conservative selling off of railways to private firms and stated that railways were better when under British Rail. Warned that the national database behind biometric identity cards was still in place and warned of the fact it was still ongoing.
Our Rating: Cheer up, love - it might never happen. That said, we do live under a ZaNuLiebour Government, so it probably already has. Thus probably understandable that he seems so glum about everything. 7/12

Jarvis Cocker (musician) - nothing to contribute on the state of the national finances. Called for Ronnie Biggs to be dealt with by treating him with some humanity. Had little worthwhile to say on a question about teachers initially, but having had time to think he made a good point on the impact of school league tables. Little of anything to say on railways, but spoke in favour of renationalisation. Put on the spot by Dumblebee over the death of Michael Jackson and whether the media had overplayed the response. Cocker accused Michael Jackson of pretending to be Jesus.
Our Rating: How long ago was that one Pulp song that everybody knows - Common People..? It seems a very long time ago. Anyway, if Pulp are still making records, then he should stick to that as he has little to say on politics, it seems. Incidentally Jarvo, Michael Jackson looks set to have the number one single this week... 3/12

We thought Dumblebee was really rather good tonight. Some worthwhile interventions to stop Harperson prattling on ad nausea for which the nation can be grateful and made several cute, humorous comments. Good show tonight in terms of Dumblebee and his chairmanship of the panel, weaving and holding the discussion and debate together well.